Canadians named to IAAF Continental Cup team

Ten Canadian athletes have been named to the Americas team that will travel to Marrakech, Morocco for the 2014 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Continental Cup taking place September 13-14. Headlining the team are recent Commonwealth Games gold medallists Derek Drouin of Corunna, Ont., and Sultana Frizell of Perth, Ont.

Athletes are selected to this team by invitation from each IAAF region. The Americas region representatives were invited based on international rankings.

Derek Drouin will compete in the men's high jump following a Canadian record setting season breaking 2.40-metres.

Sultana Frizell, who carried the Canadian flag in the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, will compete in the women's hammer throw.

Newly minted Canadian record holder Jessica Furlan of Regina, Sask., will race in the women's 3000-metres steeplechase.

Elizabeth Gleadle of Vancouver, B.C., will throw in the women's javelin. She was fifth at the Commonwealth Games and improved her Canadian record on two occasions.

Matthew Hughes of Oshawa, Ont., made his breakthrough last season placing sixth at the World Championships in the men's 3000-metres steeplechase in Canadian record time. Hughes was fourth at the Commonwealth Games.

Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., will race in the men's 5000-metres. He won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in the 10000-metres.

Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C., won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in the women's long jump, she will represent Canada and the Americas in the same event at the Continental Cup.

Jessica O'Connell of Calgary, Alta., will compete in the women's 3000-metres. She raced in the same event at the Commonwealth Games.

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot of Quebec City, Que., has enjoyed a superb season; he'll cap that off with an appearance in the men's 1500-metres. This will be his first experience at a major international event on a world stage.

Nicole Sifuentes of Winnipeg, Man., won bronze at this season's World Indoor Championships and finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games. Sifuentes will compete in the women's 1500-metres.

The IAAF Continental Cup, previously known as the World Cup in Athletics, takes place every four years.